InsideIR

®
InsideIR
Thermal Image Analysis Software
Users Manual
January 2006
© 2006 Fluke Corporation, All rights reserved. Printed in USA.
All product names are trademarks of their respective companies.
Table of Contents
Chapter
1
Title
Installing InsideIR ................................................................................ 1-1
Introduction ....................................................................................................
System Requirements .................................................................................
Hardware Requirements .............................................................................
Installing the Software....................................................................................
Installing the USB Drivers..............................................................................
Setting the Imager Clock ................................................................................
Selecting a Language......................................................................................
2
2-1
2-1
2-1
2-3
2-3
2-4
2-4
2-4
2-5
2-6
2-8
2-10
Analyzing Thermal Images and Data ................................................. 3-1
Introduction ....................................................................................................
Image Analysis ...............................................................................................
Temperature Table..........................................................................................
Profile Analysis ..............................................................................................
Histogram Analysis ........................................................................................
Creating a Report............................................................................................
4
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-2
1-4
1-5
Storing and Organizing Thermal Images and Data .......................... 2-1
Introduction ....................................................................................................
Using the Menu Bar........................................................................................
File Options................................................................................................
View Options .............................................................................................
Image Properties Options ...........................................................................
Data Analysis Options................................................................................
Report Options ...........................................................................................
Help Options ..............................................................................................
Downloading a Collection of Images and Data ...............................................
Organizing Collections and Images ................................................................
Working with Routes......................................................................................
Uploading a Route to the Imager ....................................................................
3
Page
3-1
3-1
3-3
3-4
3-5
3-6
Guidelines for Route-Based Inspections .......................................... 4-1
Introduction .................................................................................................... 4-1
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Identifying Critical Equipment for Inspection.................................................
Planning an Inspection Route .........................................................................
Collecting Baseline Images and Creating an Inspection Route........................
Tracking Your Inspection Results...................................................................
ii
4-1
4-3
4-4
4-5
List of Tables
Table
4-1.
Title
Page
Recommended Inspection Periods ...................................................................... 4-2
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List of Figures
Figure
1-1.
1-2.
1-3.
1-4.
2-1.
2-2.
2-3.
2-4.
2-5.
2-6.
2-7.
3-1.
3-2.
3-3.
3-4.
3-5.
3-6.
Title
InsideIR Splash Screen .......................................................................................
InsideIR Home Display.......................................................................................
Date and Time Adjustment Screen......................................................................
Selecting a Language ..........................................................................................
InsideIR Main Screen .........................................................................................
Thumbnail View Screen .....................................................................................
Top-Level Collection Menu ................................................................................
Tree-View Menu.................................................................................................
Top Level Route View........................................................................................
Individual Route Menu .......................................................................................
Transfer Data Screen ..........................................................................................
Image Analysis Screen........................................................................................
Temperature Table..............................................................................................
Profile Analysis Screen.......................................................................................
Histogram Analysis ............................................................................................
Report Creation Screen .......................................................................................
Preview Report Screen........................................................................................
v
Page
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1-3
1-4
1-5
2-5
2-6
2-7
2-7
2-8
2-9
2-10
3-2
3-3
3-4
3-5
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Chapter 1
Installing InsideIR
Introduction
This chapter describes how to install InsideIR on your computer.
System Requirements
•
Microsoft Windows 2000 or Windows XP
•
Version of Internet Explorer 5.01 or greater required to use Microsoft .Net Framework.
You can download the latest version of Internet Explorer from the Microsoft web site.
•
Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 and Microsoft Visual runtime components 1.1 (included
on the InsideIR 3.0 CD-ROM)
Note
To install the software on Windows 2000 or Windows XP, you must log in
with Administrator privileges.
Hardware Requirements
•
PC with a 1 GHz processor (faster recommended)
•
512 MB of RAM (or more depending on the number of thermal images stored on your
computer)
•
500 MB of free hard disk space
•
Super VGA monitor with the screen resolution set at 1024 x 768 or greater; small fonts
setting; and true color (32 bits)
•
CD-ROM drive
•
USB port (USB 2.0 High-Speed recommended)
•
Mouse or pointing device
Installing the Software
Before installing the software, make sure you have the Internet Explorer version 5.01 or
later appropriate to the language/culture settings of the operating system installed on your
computer.
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Note
Do NOT remove the CD until after you have successfully installed the
software, rebooted the machine, and opened the application.
1. Insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive.
2. A window appears that lists options on the CD. If the window does not
automatically appear:
a. On the Windows taskbar, select Start, then Run.
b. Type d:\launch.exe (where d: is your CD drive letter).
3. Click the Launch Software button to start the installation program.
4. Follow the installation instructions that appear. After software installation is
complete, the InsideIR (
) icon appears on your desktop.
After the installation is complete, please take a few minutes to complete your product
registration. You can register quickly online at http://register.fluke.com (preferred) or you
can print the form and fax it to the number provided on the form. Product registration is
very important since it allows you to get free software updates and helps us provide you
with the fastest and most efficient technical support.
Installing the USB Drivers
The correct USB drivers must be installed before InsideIR can communicate with the
Imager. The appropriate drivers were copied into the windows\system32\drivers folder
during InsideIR installation, but won't be installed until you connect the Imager to your
PC for the first time.
Note
You are only required to install the USB drivers on the first installation of
InsideIR. It is NOT when you are installing an InsideIR update.
1. Launch InsideIR with or without having the Imager connected.
2. Insert the USB connector in the USB port on your Imager and PC.
3. After the connection is made, a new driver will be installed on the Imager. You will
need to indicate the path to the drivers folder.
You are now ready to launch the InsideIR application. Go to your computer desktop and
double-click on the InsideIR program icon (
) to launch the application. Figure 1-1
shows the InsideIR splash screen.
1-2
Installing InsideIR
Installing the USB Drivers
1
dag440s.bmp
Figure 1-1. InsideIR Splash Screen
The splash screen appears momentarily and then the InsideIR Home display appears as
shown in Figure 1-2:
dag322s.bmp
Figure 1-2. InsideIR Home Display
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Setting the Imager Clock
It is very important to set the Imager clock in your Imager because it records a time / date
stamp with each stored image. This is important for meaningful reports and trending. The
Imager’s internal clock can only be set or changed from the computer. You cannot set or
adjust it on the Imager. It is very important to have the internal clock set to your local
time and date, since your inspections will be tracked based on the time and date you set.
1. Press the Set Date and Time in Imager button
the Main menu.
on the lower portion of
2. Enter a Date and Time or check the Get Date Time box to use the date and time
set on your computer.
dag522s.bmp
Figure 1-3. Date and Time Adjustment Screen
3. Click the Set button to upload the information to the Imager.
1-4
Installing InsideIR
Selecting a Language
1
Selecting a Language
With InsideIR, you have the ability to display a localized version of the software on your
computer. The default language is English but you can chose to display information in
German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese (simplified), Russian, Italian, or
Swedish. To select a language, click on the Help menu and select Language and choose a
language. The screen will refresh and the selected language will now appear on the
toolbar and buttons labels.
dag524s.bmp
Figure 1-4. Selecting a Language
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Chapter 2
Storing and Organizing Thermal Images
and Data
Introduction
The Imager when used together with the InsideIR software provides a powerful way to
organize and track maintenance data. Different groups of equipment can be inspected and
data specific to different plant areas or departments can be individually named, saved,
stored and retrieved in a straightforward fashion. Because all the records are electronic,
they can be backed up and stored without fear of loss or fading of records.
Using the Menu Bar
This section describes how to use the options that are available on the menu bar.
dag306s.bmp
File Options
dag301s.bmp
Note
You will not see the new folder unless you are in Collection View, with the
tree structure appearing on the left side of the screen.
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Download from Imager
Downloads images from the Imager to your computer for storage, analysis and report
creation. Images are downloaded using a USB connection between the Imager and your
computer. The Download a Collection from Imager button on the bottom of the InsideIR
display also performs this operation.
Upload to Imager
Creates a new folder, naming it according to the date and time. The name is highlighted
and editable, so you can rename the folder according to your own naming conventions.
The Upload a Collection to Imager button on the bottom of the InsideIR display also
performs this operation.
Set Date and Time in Imager
Sets the Imager date and time. The Imager’s date and time can only be set or changed
from your computer. You cannot set or adjust it on the Imager. It is important to have the
internal clock set to your local date and time since your inspections will be tracked based
on this date and time information.
Display Imager Information
Product-specific information about each Imager you have used with a specific computer.
This is useful when contacting the factory for service information. It is also useful to use
the name of the individual units at the highest level in your directory structure, keeping
all images stored by a single unit in the same folder.
Select USB Device
Select the model of the Imager you are using (Ti20 is the default).
Auto Download when Imager is Connected
Used to save registry settings such as language, location of window, auto download, and
temperature type. A check mark indicates this option is selected.
Clear Images in Imager
Removes all images stored on the Imager and restores all 50 storage locations with the
factory default parameters. Default parameters are:
•
Location name: blank
•
Emissivity: 1.00
•
RTC: OFF
•
Low alarm: 0 °C (32 °F)
•
High alarm: 250 °C (482 °F)
•
Comments: blank
The Clear Images in Imager button on the bottom of the InsideIR display also performs
this operation.
Exit
Closes the InsideIR application.
2-2
Storing and Organizing Thermal Images and Data
Using the Menu Bar
2
View Options
Image view
dag302s.bmp
Takes you to the image view screen for the selected image.
Temperature table view
Takes you to the temperature table for the selected image.
Temperature profile view
Takes you to the temperature profile screen for the selected image.
Histogram view
Takes you to the histogram for the selected image.
Image Properties Options
Temperature Scale
dag303s.bmp
Toggle the temperature scale between Fahrenheit or Celsius.
Palette
Original
Restores the palette used when the image was originally captured.
Gray
Displays the selected image in grayscale.
Rainbow
Displays selected image in the Rainbow palette. Rainbow is the default palette selection.
Ironbow
Displays selected image in the Ironbow palette
Gray Reverse
Reverses a grayscale image.
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Data Analysis Options
The Data Analysis options are only active when you are in Image View mode (either
Image, Temperature Table, Temperature Profiles, or Histogram mode). These functions
are used to export images and tables. See Chapter 3 for more information about the data
analysis options.
dag309s.bmp
Image
Allows you to save an image for use with another application. You can save the image in
.bmp, .jpg, .gif, .png, .tif, .wmf, .exif, and .emf formats.
Note
When using this option, only the image is saved, the data is not.
Temperature Table
Allows you to export the underlying pixel data from a thermal scene to a .txt file for
import into a spreadsheet program, allowing you to do your own in-depth analysis.
Temperature Profiles
Saves the temperature profile data to a .txt file for import into a spreadsheet program,
allowing you to do additional analysis of the data.
The file that is saved can also be pasted into a program such as Paint (as well as Word
and Excel).
Histogram
•
Copy Chart
Saves the chart to your Windows clipboard, and can then be pasted into Word or
Excel, using either the Paste or Paste Special command.
•
Pixel Data
Displays temperature values as number of representative pixels in the thermal
scene.
•
Percentage Data
Displays temperature values as a percentage of the all temperature values
captured in a given thermal scene.
Report Options
Create Report
Generates a report form, pre-populating data fields with captured data from the given
location. See Chapter 3 for detailed information on creating a report.
Help Options
Contents
Displays complete contents of this users manual.
2-4
Storing and Organizing Thermal Images and Data
Downloading a Collection of Images and Data
2
Language
Allows you to select your language preference from English, German, French, Spanish,
Portuguese, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Russian, Italian or Swedish.
About InsideIR
Displays copyright information and software version number.
Downloading a Collection of Images and Data
Images are automatically organized into directories as they are downloaded to InsideIR.
To download a Collection of images:
) on your desktop. A flash screen
1. Double-click the InsideIR icon (
momentarily displays and then the main program screen appears.
2. From the InsideIR main screen (Figure 2-1) you can work with any saved images
shown in the menu tree on the left side of the screen or you can connect an
Imager to your computer and download a new collection of images.
dag322s.bmp
Figure 2-1. InsideIR Main Screen
3. Connect the Imager to your computer using the provided USB cable. A USB
(7) symbol appears on the Imager display as soon as a hardware connection is
made. The buttons along the bottom of the InsideIR screen are activated (turn
from gray to white) when communication with the Imager is established.
4. Click the Download from Imager button (
program screen.
)on the bottom of the Main
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5. Download progress is indicated by a status bar on the Communication Progress
display on your computer and by the live video icon (K)in the Header zone of
the Imager display. Click the close button when the transfer is complete.
6. The images from your latest download appear in a window on the right side of
the Main display (Figure 2-2). Each set of images is in a fixed order starting at
image 1 and going to 50 (or however many images you have saved). Use the two
scroll bars to view the image thumbnails.
dag313s.bmp
Figure 2-2. Thumbnail View Screen
7. Double-click on a thumbnail to view a larger version of a single image. Use of
the Image, Temperature Table, Profile, and Histogram tabs is described in
Chapter 3.
Organizing Collections and Images
Following data storage, InsideIR automatically opens the Collections folder. The
Collections folder is the default folder location for all new collections downloaded from
the Imager. You can later move collections to alternate folders by simply a selecting and
dragging images from one folder to another folder. A collection is a collection of images,
not a single image.
The collection of images and their associated data is automatically saved, using the
computer’s date and time settings.
Top Level Collection Menu
You can right-click on the top level collection menu to perform a variety of functions.
The pop-up menu is shown in Figure 2-3.
2-6
Storing and Organizing Thermal Images and Data
Organizing Collections and Images
2
dag332s.bmp
Figure 2-3. Top-Level Collection Menu
•
New Folder
Creates a new folder. The new folder will show the date and time it was created.
•
New Collection
Creates a new collection in the top-level collection folder. The new folder will
show the date and time it was created.
•
Import Collection
Imports a collection of images in .xml format including collection and Imager
details. The file can also be a zipped .xml file.
•
Create New Route
Creates a new route in the top-level route folder. The route name is not specified,
InsideIR will prompt you for a name until one is provided.
Individual Collection Menu
You can change a collection name by right-clicking on the current name. It is
recommended you keep the date and time information in the file name so you can keep
track of your periodic inspections.
You can rename or delete files or folders from a collection by right-clicking a folder and
choosing the appropriate command from the pop-up menu. The pop-up menu is shown in
Figure 2-4.
dag315s.bmp
Figure 2-4. Tree-View Menu
•
Delete
Deletes a collection. You will be asked to confirm the deletion.
•
Save As Route
Saves the collection of images in the Routes folder.
•
Rename
Rename the collection of images.
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Working with Routes
Routes are a group of images that you create in order to perform your inspections.
Chapter 4 provides information for planning and creating routes as well as guidelines for
tracking changes you encounter. After you have saved a collection of images as a route,
you can use InsideIR to work with your routes.
Top-Level Route View
You can right-click on the top level route menu to perform a variety of functions. The
pop-up menu is shown in Figure 2-5 and described below.
dag333s.bmp
Figure 2-5. Top Level Route View
•
2-8
Create New Route
Creates a new route in the top-level routes folder. A route name is not specified,
the new folder will show the date and time it was created. If you right-click on a
route, you are able to Delete or Copy that route.
Storing and Organizing Thermal Images and Data
Working with Routes
2
Individual Route Menu
dag334s.bmp
Figure 2-6. Individual Route Menu
•
Delete
Deletes the collection within the route.
•
Export Collection
Exports the route as a collection to another folder on your computer.
•
New Image
Creates a blank image as a place holder for a route location. You can then edit
the attributes of the image to be taken.
•
Rename
Renames the route.
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Uploading a Route to the Imager
1. Select the route you want to upload and click the Upload to Imager button
(
)on the InsideIR main screen. Status messages in the Communication
Progress dialog inform you about progress of the upload.
2. The Transfer Complete message appears when the upload is complete.
dag520s.bmp
Figure 2-7. Transfer Data Screen
2-10
Chapter 3
Analyzing Thermal Images and Data
Introduction
There are many ways to analyze your thermal data now that you have it downloaded and
organized. After clicking on a thumbnail in the Main InsideIR screen, the data for that
specific thermal image is displayed in one of four tabs: Image, Temperature Table,
Profile, and Histogram.
While each of these analytical tools possess unique qualities, they also share many
features. For example, data from any of the tabs may be saved in other formats or cut and
pasted into other applications for your own further analysis or communications needs.
Image Analysis
The Image tab allows you to manipulate and perform a detailed analysis of a thermal
image. You can also export the image in various graphical formats for use in other
programs. Click Data Analysis|Image|Export Image to export the image. An Image
Analysis screen is shown in Figure 3-1.
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dag314s.bmp
Figure 3-1. Image Analysis Screen
Image Options
Use the radio buttons to view the image as either a Thermal or Isothermal image.
Cursor Points
Click any part of the image to display the temperature reading at that spot (indicated by
the crosshatch). You may click as many spots as you wish, each click adds a reading to
the displayed image at that point. Move your cursor around the image to momentarily
display the temperature reading on points along your path. The pixel coordinates display
simultaneously as you move your cursor across the image.
Restore Original Image
This button restores the original image, removing any temperature or date/time
information that has been manually added from the image (with the exception of the
temperature grid which must be turned off to disappear).
Temperature Grid
By turning on the temperature grid, you will see 300 8 by 8 pixel squares superimposed
over the image. A brightness level bar appears which allows you to control the brightness
of the grid. Each grid displays a temperature, which is the average of the 64 pixels in that
square.
Text Color
For each of the functions above, you can select various colors of text to improve the
appearance of the data over the image. Multiple colors can be used on the same image to
highlight different information.
3-2
Analyzing Thermal Images and Data
Temperature Table
3
Limit Bar
The limit bar is underneath the image and shows the temperature range the Imager is
capable of measuring. The minimum (-10 ºC (14 ºF)) is represented at the far left of the
bar, and the maximum (250 ºC (482 ºF)) is represented by the far right of the bar. When
the Thermal Image radio button at the bottom of the Image screen is selected, the red area
on the bar indicates the range of temperatures, within the minimum and maximum limits
that are represented in the thermal scene.
In order to see more detail in narrow ranges of temperature, it is often useful to adjust the
scale limits. In order to do this, make sure the Thermal Image radio button is selected. To
adjust the upper or lower limits, click and drag the appropriate arrow at the edge of the
red portion of the bar. To keep the same range span but change the limits, you can drag
the whole red section of the bar left (colder) or right (warmer).
When the Isotherm radio button is selected, the red portion of the bar indicates the
temperature range that will be “highlighted” in red in the thermal scene.
Changing of the limits and the interval is done the same way for isotherms as it is for
scale limits—by moving the limit arrows or the red portion of the limit bar.
Temperature Table
Clicking on the Temperature Table tab reveals a pixel view of all the data in the image
(120 rows x 160 columns or 19,200 pixels. An example is shown in Figure 3-2.
You can export temperature data as a .txt file and then import the data into a spreadsheet
program (tab delimited format for MS Excel) for your own in-depth analysis. Click Data
Analysis|Temperature Table|Export Temperature Table to export the file.
dag323s.bmp
Figure 3-2. Temperature Table
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Profile Analysis
There are four quadrants on the profile tab view:
•
an interactive radiometric thermal image in the upper left-hand corner
•
a vertical temperature profile the upper right-hand corner
•
a horizontal temperature profile in the lower left-hand corner
•
a table of temperature values for horizontal and vertical profiles in the lower
right-hand corner
Click on any portion of the thermal image on the top for the exact temperature reading at
that spot. As you do this, you will see that the graph below changes, reflecting the new x
and y axes as you move around the image. An example of this is shown in Figure 3-3.
You can export the temperature profile as a .txt file for import into a spreadsheet program
(tab delimited format for MS Excel) for your own in-depth analysis or as a .bmp image
file for insertion into another program. Click Data Analysis|Temperature Profiles|Export
Temperature Data (text file) or Copy to Clipboard Image and Charts (bitmap file) to
perform the export.
dag324s.bmp
Figure 3-3. Profile Analysis Screen
3-4
Analyzing Thermal Images and Data
Histogram Analysis
3
Histogram Analysis
The Histogram tab provides a summary of the pixel data presented on the previous
screens.
The histogram displays temperature values as either a percentage of the all temperature
values captured in a given thermal scene, or by number of representative pixels in the
thermal scene.
You can also select the Data Analysis|Histogram|Limits menu and enter the maximum
and minimum temperatures for the data you are interested in graphing.
To export the chart or chart data in another program, select Data
Analysis|Histogram|Copy Chart to save the information on the Windows clipboard. You
can then paste the data into Microsoft Word, Excel, or other compatible program, using
the Paste or Paste Special command. An example is shown in Figure 3-4.
dag325s.bmp
Figure 3-4. Histogram Analysis
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Creating a Report
InsideIR provides a report form for you to use in reporting the findings of your
thermographic survey. To create a report select an image, next select Report from the
Menu Bar and then choose “Create Report” from the drop-down list. An example is
shown in Figure 3-5.
dag327s.bmp
Figure 3-5. Report Creation Screen
Some data is filled in for you with known data from the image file so you don’t have to
copy the information into the record. Other text fields are populated with the last
information entered and saved from the previous report. In this way, if you are creating
multiple, related reports, you don’t have to keep entering the same information over and
over again.
You can also use the following additional features when designing your report:
Clear Button
Click the “Clear” button at the top of the report if you would like to clear all text fields
and start over.
Logo Button
By default, a Fluke logo appears in the logo field in the upper right hand corner of the
report. If you would prefer your own logo on the report, simply click the Logo button and
browse for the graphic file containing the logo you want to use. The graphic you select
becomes the default logo in this field.
Image Button
Click the “Insert Image” button to attach an additional visual image (such as a digital
photograph) to the report. The Delete Image button removes the selected image.
3-6
Analyzing Thermal Images and Data
Creating a Report
3
Preview Report
When your changes are complete, select Report| Preview on the menu bar and. A new
window appears displaying the report in Print Preview mode. An example is shown in
Figure 3-6.
Use the icons at the top of the window to:
•
Print the Report
•
Refresh the Display
•
Export the Report (.pdf, .xls, .doc, or .rtf)
•
Toggle the Group Tree (Not Used)
•
Zoom
•
Search for Text
dag328s.bmp
Figure 3-6. Preview Report Screen
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3-8
Chapter 4
Guidelines for Route-Based Inspections
Introduction
This Chapter provides some guidelines for planning and developing a predictive or
preventative maintenance program for your facility.
Identifying Critical Equipment for Inspection
Begin by using existing lists of equipment from a Computerized Maintenance
Management System (CMMS) or other inventory tool. Eliminate items that aren't well
suited for infrared measurement and focus on equipment that creates production
bottlenecks. If possible, determine where have failures have occurred in the past. Use a
database or spreadsheet to group the remaining equipment together, either by area or
function, into roughly 2-3 hour inspection blocks.
The lists may not be up to date, so you can expect the first inspection cycle to take more
time as you locate equipment, update lists, deal with access issues, and so forth. During
your first pass, also consider taking digital photos of each piece of equipment and storing
the images in the equipment database for later reference as needed. If thermography is
new in your plant, the first few inspection cycles may yield a large number of finds.
Subsequent inspections should go more smoothly. After about three cycles, re-organize
the routes so they are more efficient and add new routes and equipment into the
inspection cycle as necessary. The optimum frequency of inspection will be determined
by the needs of the equipment assets. As they age, are heavily loaded, or are poorly
maintained, inspections may become more frequent.
Frequency of inspection is based on a number of factors. The key drivers are safety, the
criticality of the equipment, the expense of a failure, and the frequency with which
problems impact production and/or maintenance. This latter point is important enough
that you should devote time to researching past failures, through discussions with coworkers and by reviewing plant records. See Table 4-1 for recommended inspection
periods.
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Table 4-1. Recommended Inspection Periods
Equipment Type
Inspection Frequency
High Voltage Substations
1 to 3 years
Transformers
Annual
440 V Air Conditioned Motor Control Centers
6 to 12 months
Older or Non-Air Conditioned Motor Control Centers
4 to 6 months
Electrical Distribution Equipment
4 to 6 months
Large Motors
(Assumes vibration analysis, MCA, and lub analysis
are also being used)
Annual
Smaller Motors
4 to 6 months
It's also vital to inspect all new equipment both as part of the acceptance process as well
as, for larger equipment, to establish a baseline. If equipment is damaged on arrival,
inspect it as soon as possible to determine its actual condition. Some plants send their
thermographers off site to inspect new equipment before it's delivered, often finding
deficiencies and problems before the equipment is accepted. When repairs or
modifications are made to equipment, the CMMS must alert the thermographer to
conduct a follow-up inspection; all too often a repair is not adequately made, for a variety
of reasons, so don't assume everything is okay until the follow-up proves it.
Conditions may not be right for an inspection when it comes due. This incomplete work
must be rescheduled before the next cycle, so reserve time for makeup work. You will
also develop a list of equipment that needs increased monitoring until it can be repaired;
many thermographers add these pieces into a weekly route until the condition changes.
Working from a pre-inspection checklist is a good idea.
•
Make sure the Imager is ready to go.
•
Charge the batteries.
•
Clear the memory of previously recorded data.
•
If you will be following an inspection route that has been inspected previously,
upload past results to the Imager so they can be compared to new findings.
•
If additional equipment is required, such as a digital clamp meter for load
reading, or a voice recorder, etc., assemble all of it and make sure it's in good
working order.
Sit down with co-workers from the area where you will be conducting your day's work.
Discuss concerns (for safety, equipment conditions, etc) and note any unusual conditions
that might impact your work. Ask about any problems they have noted. Because routine
inspections should generally be conducted by more than one person, this is also a good
time to go over your needs with your escort. Typically the escort will locate the exact
equipment to be inspected, remove panel covers, take load readings, and watch out for
the safety of the thermographer while the Imager is being used. He or she should also be
able to fill in any necessary information about equipment conditions or peculiarities.
During the pre-job meeting, it's also important to identify the exact person who should be
notified if an alarm or emergency condition is encountered.
Whenever you enter an inspection area, take a moment to get oriented, determine an
emergency exit strategy, and note any potential hazards. Many thermographers begin an
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Guidelines for Route-Based Inspections
Planning an Inspection Route
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electrical inspection by looking first at the panel covers while they are still closed; if any
appear abnormally warm it may be appropriate to take further safety precautions before
accessing the equipment inside. Airborne ultrasound detection equipment can provide a
very useful supplemental signature and a level of assurance that things are safe.
Unless you are conducting a first-time baseline inspection, only record thermal images
when problems or "exceptions" are located. Take time to look at the finding from several
different angles and collect any other data that might be useful for your analysis,
including additional visual images of the component. Don't worry about actually
measuring temperatures until after you've found a problem. At that point, if it is
appropriate, the correct emissivity and reflected temperature compensation (RTC) can be
used. Additional analysis is often easier to do back in the office at the computer. This
finding, an internal fault in a pole-mounted transformer feeding a critical load, was
considered serious enough that it could not wait for a scheduled shutdown. Protocols
should be established before the inspection to handle situations like these effectively.
For electrical enclosures, such as control panels, open only as many panels as is safe. If
enclosure doors are left open for too long, any problem hot spots may cool off. Once
you've completed inspecting an enclosure, the escort should close the cover to ensure the
safety of anyone in the area. If necessary, post signs or barricades around an area during
the inspection.
When the inspection is complete, meet briefly with the area manager(s) and review your
findings. Prepare them for what you'll say in your report, let them know when the report
will be coming, and discuss when your next inspection cycle will occur.
Download any data you've collected after each route as soon as possible to reduce the risk
of accidental erasure. Delete any unnecessary images and process the rest individually,
fine-tuning temperature measurements and making any adjustments to temperature level
and span settings. Enter any supplemental data into the report page, along with the visual
image of the equipment inspected.
When the inspection report is complete, add the area manager and/or operator(s) to your
distribution list. As a final task, update the equipment list with any changes, additions or
deletions.
Planning an Inspection Route
Listed below are several steps to take prior to conducting an inspection.
•
Determine what critical assets you are going to inspect.
•
Define how you want to organize your inspection.
•
Define how many inspection points and locations you want for each asset you
inspect.
Note
In order to compare like images, it is recommended that you are in the
same relative position each time you capture a thermal image of an asset.
The goal of the inspection is to compare images over time that are taken
from the same position. If you are in a different position when you record
an image, it will be difficult to make accurate comparisons of your results.
•
Review safety standards and procedures.
•
Set up alarms for image comparison and track key indicators over time.
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Collecting Baseline Images and Creating an Inspection
Route
Once you have planned your inspection route you can collect baseline images which you
will then make into an inspection route. Follow the steps below to create a new route and
capture thermal images of inspection points on the route.
1. Select the number of images (route locations) that will be inspected.
2. Check or change the defaults for each location as necessary (emissivity, RTC,
Hi/Lo alarms).
3. Capture multiple images of each asset and examine them to determine which
point of view provides an optimal thermal image.
Note
When you determine the optimal thermal image note your relative position
to the asset when you recorded the image. If you know the exact relative
position, you can capture the same image in subsequent inspections of the
asset.
4. Inspect the image and if the result is satisfactory, press F (STORE) to store the
image.
5. If the image in not satisfactory, squeeze the trigger or press F (YES) to return to
live viewing.
6. When all images on your inspection route are captured you can download the
saved images to InsideIR for additional analysis and annotation. Connect the
provided USB cable to the Imager and download the baseline images to InsideIR.
7. Captured images are downloaded into a Route folder. When the images are in a
Route folder you can:
•
Delete images that you don’t want to include in your inspection route
•
Drag and drop collected images to create an image order for your route.
You can also create a route from an existing set of thermal images:
1. Drag or drop images from collections or routes to a route folder.
2. Check or change the defaults for each location as necessary (emissivity, RTC,
Hi/Lo alarms).
3. Upload the route to the Imager.
4. Take multiple images of each asset and examine them to determine which point
of view provides an optimal thermal image.
Note
When you determine the optimal thermal image note your relative position
to the asset when you recorded the image. If you know the exact relative
position, you can capture the same image in subsequent inspections of the
asset.
5. Inspect the image and if the result is satisfactory, press F (STORE) to store the
image. If an image is already stored in the memory location, a prompt will ask
you to confirm saving the image at that location. Press F (YES), G (CANCEL),
or H (COMPARE).
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Guidelines for Route-Based Inspections
Tracking Your Inspection Results
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6. If the image is not satisfactory, squeeze the trigger or press F (YES) to return to
live viewing.
7. When all images on your inspection route are captured you can download the
saved images to InsideIR for additional analysis and annotation. Connect the
provided USB cable to the Imager and download the baseline images to InsideIR.
8. Captured images are downloaded into a Route folder. When the images are in a
Route folder you can:
•
Delete images that you don’t want to include in your inspection route
•
Drag and drop collected images to create an image order for your route.
Tracking Your Inspection Results
Analysis of data over the long term is very important, so plan on accumulating it in forms
that facilitate this process. The benefit is two fold. First, you will see trends that may not
be obvious in a day-to-day analysis. For instance, you may discover that the motor shop
is doing a poor job, or that a certain brand of fused disconnect consistently has problems.
Another benefit is that you will see what is working and what isn’t working in your
inspection program You can see where problems are continuing to occur, enabling you to
justify dedicating resources in those areas or decreasing the frequency of inspection
because few problems are being found.
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